Roof construction-subceiling assembly

Abstract

A roof construction-suspended ceiling system consists of a watertight outer layer and a layer of thermal insulation beneath it resting on a metal roof-supporting surface that has a vapor barrier. Below this there is a suspended ceiling system that has insulation placed thereon. The suspended ceiling has openings that will vent the area between the roof construction and the suspended ceiling and the above-said openings may be quickly closed in the event of a fire below the suspended ceiling system.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A roof structure and subceiling assembly consisting of: (a) a roof structure which is composed of: (1) a metal deck,   (2) over top of the metal deck there being positioned a heat insulating layer,   (3) over top of the heat insulating layer there being positioned a water impermeable outer layer,     (b) below the roof structure there being positioned a suspended ceiling, said suspended ceiling comprising: (1) a plurality of suspended support runners,   (2) positioned on the support runners a plurality of ceiling boards,   (3) over top of the ceiling boards there being positioned an intermediate heat insulating layer,     (c) the improvement comprising: (1) a plurality of ventilation openings in the suspended ceiling providing for air passage from the area below the suspended ceiling into the area above the suspended ceiling between the suspended ceiling and roof structure,   (2) said ventilation openings being capable of being closed by a fire barrier, said fire barrier comprising: (a) a ceiling board sized to fit within the ventilation opening and having one edge of the ceiling board resting on a support runner in a diagonal position so that the opposite edge of the ceiling board is raised above the plane of the suspended ceiling, said ceiling board being supported in position by a supporting member of a material which will melt, decompose, or otherwise lose its rigidity under the influence of heat so that, after the decomposition of said supporting member, said ceiling board, together with the overlying intermediate layer of heat insulation material will fall into position substantially closing the ventilation opening with ceiling board in position in the plane of the suspended ceiling and the overlying intermediate layer of insulation being placed in position over top of the ceiling board.       
     
     
       2. A roof structure and subceiling assembly consisting of: (a) a roof structure which is composed of: (1) a metal deck,   (2) over top of the metal deck there being positioned a heat insulating layer,   (3) over top of the heat insulating layer there being positioned a water impermeable outer layer,     (b) below the roof structure there being positioned a suspended ceiling, said suspended ceiling comprising: (1) a plurality of suspended support runners,   (2) positioned on the supporting runners are a plurality of ceiling boards,   (3) over top of the ceiling boards there being positioned an intermediate heat insulating layer,     (c) the improvement comprising: (1) a plurality of ventilation openings in the suspended ceiling providing for air passage from the area below the suspended ceiling into the area above the suspended ceiling between the suspended ceiling and roof structure,   (2) a louvre structure placed in each ventilating opening in lieu of a ceiling board and allowing passage of an air current,   (3) a ceiling board positioned above the said louvre but permitting passage of air through the louvre into the area above the suspended ceiling,   (4) said ceiling board being supported in its raised position above the louvre by a supporting member resting on said louvre, said louvre and/or said supporting member will melt, decompose, or otherwise lose their rigidity upon the influence of heat so that after the decomposition of said louvre and/or said supporting member, said ceiling board will fall into position, substantially closing the ventilation opening.